The Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center (ADSCC) and Miltenyi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the development and local manufacturing of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies in the UAE, building on ADSCC’s established advanced cell therapy capabilities and Miltenyi scientific and technical expertise. The collaboration aims to establish a first regional access point for locally developed CAR-T therapies, strengthening the UAE’s advanced cellular therapy capabilities and expanding access to innovative treatment options for eligible patients. It will also support the potential expansion of CAR-T applications beyond oncology.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Antonio Alfonso Bencomo Hernandez, Chief Scientific Officer at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, and Willem-Jan Blok, Senior Vice President, Global Strategy & Organization and Commercial Europe & International Markets at Miltenyi Biomedicine, on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit 2026, establishing a framework for scientific and technical collaboration between the two organizations.
CAR-T therapy is an advanced form of cell therapy that uses a patient’s own immune cells, which are modified to better recognize and target specific disease-causing cells. While CAR-T has been established for the treatment of certain blood cancers, research and clinical applications are increasingly exploring its potential in other serious conditions, including autoimmune diseases.
Under the agreement, ADSCC will contribute its local cell therapy development and manufacturing capabilities, while Miltenyi will provide scientific and technical support related to it’s proprietary viral vector and anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor technologies. By combining these complementary strengths, the partnership aims to advance the development of potentially life-changing CAR-T therapies in the UAE and help reduce the need for eligible patients to seek treatment abroad.
Dr. Antonio Alfonso Bencomo Hernandez, Chief Scientific Officer at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, said: “Medicine is evolving in ways that are changing how we understand and treat disease, including through therapies that harness the potential of the body’s own cells. At ADSCC, we have established capabilities across the CAR-T development and manufacturing pathway, and our priority is to continue building on this foundation to expand what can be achieved within the UAE and, importantly, translate that knowledge into meaningful benefits for patients. Through our continued collaboration with Miltenyi, we are strengthening our ability to develop and manufacture advanced cell therapies locally, bringing innovative treatment capabilities closer to home while exploring where these technologies can deliver value beyond their current applications.”
ADSCC has already established a local CAR-T cell therapy platform, with capabilities spanning cell collection, processing, genetic engineering and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant manufacturing. The center has also applied CAR-T therapy in an autoimmune disease setting, including the treatment of lupus, demonstrating its experience in exploring the technology’s potential beyond oncology.
Willem-Jan Blok, Senior Vice President, Global Strategy & Organization and Commercial Europe & International Markets at Miltenyi Biomedicine, said: “CAR-T therapy continues to open new possibilities in how we approach complex diseases, and advancing its potential requires close collaboration between scientific, clinical and manufacturing experts. By working with ADSCC, we are bringing together complementary expertise to support the continued development of CAR-T capabilities in the UAE and explore how these technologies may be applied across a broader range of serious conditions. This collaboration reflects the importance of combining scientific innovation with the capabilities needed to translate advances in cell therapy into future treatment opportunities for patients in the UAE.”
The collaboration also contributes to Abu Dhabi’s growing life sciences ecosystem and aligns with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit, bringing together global healthcare, science, technology, policy and investment leaders to advance innovation and collaboration in health.
